Justice Served, Penalty Must Follow
by Steven Zeltser
Chris Simon’s two handed slash to the face of Ryan Hollweg during the Rangers most recent 2-1 defeat of the Islanders can only be seen for what it was, despicable. Especially, when fighting is accepted as a legitimate and necessary part of the game, there is never a need for that kind of violence against another hockey player.
Ryan Hollweg is a bit of a pest. He primarily plays a clean, hard hitting game, but very early in his career developed a reputation for the occasional late hit or hit from behind, because he finishes all his checks. This alone does not give a player like Chris Simon who built his reputation on his ability to protect his teammates the right to act in such a cowardly fashion as to attempt to separate Hollweg head from his body. Make no mistake, an inch or two lower and a serious injury may have been inflicted on the play. I would be writing about a prison sentence not a fine and suspension.